My family advocates informed consent when it comes to vaccines. We also (especially as Catholics) believe in the Principle of Subsidiarity, which is that any activity which can be performed by a more decentralized entity should be. In this case, it is the right of the family to decide what action is best for the family. To help give you more information in deciding what vaccines, if any, you will have injected into your children, you should be mindful of the monetary bonuses involved for the one administering the vaccines, your pediatrician.

Is your pediatrician paid a bonus for vaccinating your kids?! It appears so! And it seems that not reaching a certain threshold of fully vaccinated patients can actually cost them the entire bonus! Below you will find the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Incentive Program.

Are we reading this wrong? Is a pediatrician really paid a $400 bonus for every child fully vaccinated by their 2nd birthday?! Any corrections are welcome if this is not so. But assuming we are reading it correctly, you, by not vaccinating your children, can cost the pediatrician thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the size of the practice.

If you look at the “Target: COMM” line, it has the threshold at 63%. The pediatrician stands to loose the entire bonus if 63% of their ‘under-2-year-old’ patients are not fully vaccinated. This is big money and something to consider if you sense any sort of pressure on the part of your pediatrician.

Keep this info in mind as part of your informed decision when choosing whether or not to vaccinate your children.